ABI Electronics · Schematic Reverse Engineering Systems
RevEng Schematic Learning System
Clip on and learn: rebuilds professional schematics for boards that have no documentation
RevEng is a PC-controlled continuity measurement system that learns the connections of a circuit board with no power applied and produces a NetList automatically. Paired with the EdWin XP CAD package, it turns the learned connections into a routed, multi-page schematic. Repair shops, reverse engineering teams and obsolescence managers use it to recover the circuit structure of undocumented boards and build maintainable technical records.
Overview
The RevEng Schematic Learning System, designed and built by ABI Electronics in the United Kingdom, is a reverse engineering solution that combines hardware, control software and CAD. It measures the connections of a sample board by a clip-and-learn method with no power applied. The applied voltage and current are limited so semiconductor gates are not disturbed, which makes it safe on boards built in low-power technologies. The hardware is controlled by System 8 Ultimate, which offers a tabbed interface, automatic clip location and optimized clip movement, plus partial circuit learning, repeat learn and verify functions. When learning is complete, the NetList is imported into the EdWin XP CAD package, which places components, autoroutes and generates a multi-page schematic from a library of more than 12,000 devices. RevEng is used to maintain electronic control equipment in automation and robotics, marine, aerospace, defense and security.
Key specifications
| System type | PC-controlled continuity measurement hardware |
|---|---|
| Measurement channels | 1024 to 2048 measurement channels |
| Channel expansion | Expandable to 2048 channels at any time after installation |
| Learning method | Learns board connections with no power applied (power-off) |
| Device protection | Applied voltage and current are limited to protect semiconductor gates |
| Control software | System 8 Ultimate (tabbed interface) |
| CAD package | EdWin XP |
| Device library | 12,000 devices |
| Output | NetList / multi-page schematic |
| Connection methods | A range of IC clips and connectors, hand-held probe |
| Manufacturer | ABI Electronics (United Kingdom) |
Features
Clip on, learn, and get a schematic
Learns the connections of the sample board and produces a NetList; EdWin XP then places the parts, autoroutes and outputs a multi-page professional schematic.
Safe power-off measurement
Learning happens with no power on the board, and the applied voltage and current are limited so semiconductor gates are untouched, even on low-power technology boards.
1024 to 2048 channel expandable architecture
The cabinet system provides 1024 to 2048 measurement channels and can be expanded to 2048 channels at any time after installation to suit the board size.
System 8 Ultimate control software
The tabbed interface supports an unlimited number of clips and connectors, automatic clip location and optimized movement, plus partial learning, repeat learn and verify.
EdWin XP CAD with a 12,000-device library
A complete library of more than 12,000 devices, with optional bill of materials, PCB layout, simulation, autorouting and thermal analysis modules.
Obsolescence support and reverse engineering
Recovers boards that have no original documentation; used to maintain electronic control equipment in automation, robotics, marine, aerospace and defense.
Typical applications
Defense maintenance
Repairing military electronics with missing drawings
After decades in service, the original schematics for aircraft and ground equipment are often lost or were never delivered. The UK Ministry of Defence's Defence Electronics and Components Agency (DECA) deployed RevEng at its Sealand repair site to reverse engineer boards from Typhoon, Tornado and Chinook fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, capturing the connections with no power applied and recovering complete schematics for later repair work.
Transportation
Rebuilding obsolete boards for rail and urban infrastructure
When an out-of-production board fails, it can halt a whole production or transit line, and no spares are left on the market. The Sao Paulo metro in Brazil brought in RevEng to generate the missing schematics for undocumented boards in its aging equipment and saved more than 50 million US dollars in repair costs over five years. The same workflow applies to industrial and rail sites, extending equipment life without wholesale replacement.
Automated test setup
Generating board-level netlists for ATE test programs
Writing automatic test equipment (ATE) programs without OEM data calls for an accurate board-level netlist and pin connection information. RevEng scans component clusters through its probe clips and produces the netlist automatically, which imports straight into ABI SYSTEM 8 Ultimate or BoardMaster. Engineers can then build test fixtures without the original design files, which shortens the lead time for bringing automated test on line.
Options and configuration
Tick the system size and optional modules you need. We compile the configuration into a list and carry it into the quote request form.
Standard equipment (included)
Hardware size options
Software option modules (EdWin extensions)
Downloads
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